Automatic electrical switch



R. V. OWEN April 15, 1930.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Aug 2, 1927 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES ROBERT VAUGHAN OWEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL swrToH Application filed August 2, 1927.

The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic timed electric switch,

. particularly adapted for controlling intermittent or flash electric signs.

Theinvention comprises an axially reciprocahle switch member, actuated by solenoids,

in combination with means for alternatedly energizing the solenoids and timing means, of novel form and arrangement.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation'of an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged dotted line schematic view of the right hand switch controlling wheel and its associated members;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 33, Figure 1;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary section on the line 1 1, Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5, Figure 1, illustrating one of the pawls and y the mounting therefor.

29 The embodiment illustrated in the drawings comprises base A, from which rises standard 1, formed with an apertured boss 2, to receive switch rod 3. one end of the rod entering solenoid 4- and the opposite end entering solenoid 5. Switch rod 3 is provided with a tapered head 6, adapted to engage the spring switch members 7, 7 to complete the circuit through the nest of lamps Z2, via connections hereinafter described.

At the right hand end of base A is a standard, comprising the arms 8, which arms support a rotatable shaft 9. On shaft 9 is a pin ion 10, engaged by the rack-portion 3 of switch rod 3. Pinion 10 carries a pawl 11 in engagement with the teeth of a small ratchet wheel 12, carried by switch wheel 13.

Switch wheel 13 carries a spring switch arm 14, which is adapted to engage a contact 15 in circuit with solenoid 5, as later to be explained.

Ratchet wheel 10 is provided with a pawl releasing arm 16, the end of which is adapted to be engaged by the fixed plate 17 carried by any suitable member supported by the standard 8. At the left hand end of the ma-- Serial No. 210,931.

chine, the members are exactly like those just described, with the exception that the pawl 11, and teeth of small ratchet wheel 12 are directed reversely to those of the right hand structure, and the pawl releasing arm 16 and fixed plate 17 are correspondingly changed in position. In the left hand structure, the spring contact 14* on the wheel is adapted to engage the contact 15*, in circuit with solenoid 1. The left hand wheel and associated 69 parts are mounted on the standard 8.

Each of the two wheels 13 is formed with peripheral teeth, the teeth 'of the left hand wheel being adapted for engagement by pawl 18 on a stud shaft 19, the pawl being pressed upward by means of a suitable spring. The teeth of the right hand wheel 13 are engaged by pawl 18 on a shaft 20, engaged by a spring 20*, Figure 5. Pawl 18 carries a contact pin 21 and pawl 18 carries a contact pin 22. In the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 1 contact pin 21 has been engaged by a contact member 23 onthe switch rod 3" in such manner that pawl 18 is released from the teeth of the wheel.

In the operation of the device, assuming the parts to be in the position illustrated in Figure 1, current will flow from battery B through lead 24 to solenoid 5, the circuit being completed through lead 25, contact member 15, spring contact member 14*, left hand wheel13, and connected parts to red 3', thence through contact arm 23*, lead 26,1ead 27, re lay switch 28 and lead 29 to the second battery terminal.

In this connection it will be understood that rod 3 will be insulated, as for example by insulation 30, to electrically separate the solenoids'.

The above described completion of the cir- 95 cuit through solenoid 5 will cause solenoid to pullswitc'h rod 3 to the right bring Contact head 6 in engagement with switchmember-"s- 7, 7 forcing" them in opp'o- ON site directions; Members- 7 is connected by lead 30 t0'1ea d-2 t and member 7 is connected by lead 31 with relay switch m'en iber 28. Member 7 is crossed to contact with search plate 32, connected by lead 33 withon'e ter miner or each lamp: B, wh'ereasmemberea lee gages switch plate 3 1, connected by lead 35, the opposite terminals of leads B.

Such movement of switch rod 3 to the right rotates the left hand wheel 13 in the direction of the arrow and raises the weight 36 carried thereby. Such right hand movement of switch arm 3, however, does not rotate the righthand wheel 13. In other words, the engaging point of the pawl 11 for such wheel is directed toward the left, as shown in Figure 2, and the teeth of ratchet wheel 12 are so directed that the movement of switch 3 to the right moves the pawl 11 idly over the teeth and the right hand wheel. thus remains in its position until the said pawl members reach the position shown in Figure l, whereat pawl releasing arm 16 strikes plate 17 and releases pawl 11, permitting wheel 13 to rotate to the position shown in said Figure 1 throughgravity induced by weight 36*. Immediately prior to such rotation of the wheel, contact member 23* will have engaged pin 22 and have thereby released holding pawl 18*. i

The said rotation of wheel 13 through the influence of weight 36*, would bring switch member lt into engagement with contact 15 and the current will flow from battery B through lead 24*, through solenoid l, thence through lead 40, to contact 15, through switch member 1 1, through right hand wheel 13 and its connected parts, to switch rod 3, through arm 23*, leads 26 and 27, relay 18 and lead 29, to the second terminal of the battery. The energy flowing through solenoid 4 will move switch rod 3 to the left and thus open the switch members 7 and 7*. The left hand pinion 10 will move idly, its pawl sliding over the teeth of its ratchet wheel 12, and this action will continue until the pawl releasing arm is thrown into action to release the pawl from the ratchet wheel, which action takes place simultaneously with the contact of arm -23 with pawl 18, permitting the left hand ratchet wheel 13 to fall under the influence of weight 36, to bring switch arm 14 into engagement with contact 15*, for the purpose of again energizing solenoid 5, as explained above.

I have provided an automatic means for shutting off the device at a predetermined time, such means comprising a pawl 41, carried by a standard 42 and having a projecting arm 43, adapted to be engaged by a contact 44: on switch rod 3. Thus as the switch rod reciprocates, it actuates the pawl, the pawl engages the topmost gear 45, of a series of reduction gears (of any suitable arrangement), which gears rotate a wheel 16, having a throw-out arm 4C7. At the predetermined, time the throw-out arm 47 engages relay switch arm 48 and throws the arm to break the circuit from one terminal of the battery, thus shutting ofi the device;

Having described my invention, what, I

claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows 1. A device of the character described, comprising a switch rod formed with two rack sections, a solenoid at each end of the rod and adapted to move the same endwise, switch wheels, one for each solenoid and adapted for movement into closing and breaking relation to said electrical circuit, a pinion for each rack section of the switch rod, ratchet and pawl connections interposed between each pinion and the appropriate switch wheel, and throw-out means for the pawls.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a switch rod, a solenoid at each end of the rod and adapted to move the latter endwise, switch wheels, one for each solenoid and adapted to close and break said circuit, a weight carried by each switch wheel, means interposed between the switch rod and each switch wheel for rotating the latter successively, means interposed between the switch rod and each switch wheel whereby the latter are successively released to rotate under the influence of the weight into circuit closing position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ROBERT VAUGHAN OWEN. 

